Spark plug



J. W. PULLIAM May 2, 1933.

SPARK PLUG Original Filed July 26. 1929 9% A TTORNEYS.

Patented May 2, 1933 UE'TD ST FATE? JOHN W. PULLIAM, OF OAKLAND, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR FIFTY FER- CENT TO WARNER D. HINEON, F OAKLAND, KENTUCKY SPARK PLUG Application filed July 26, 1929, Serial No. 381,245.

This invention relates to improvements in spark plugs.

The object of my invention is to provide an efficient type of a spark plug for producing a spark upon passage of current through the plug, by providing a peculiarly constructed electrode which I term a goose-neck eX- tension electrode.

Another object of the invention is to reduce and simplify sparking points, by providing a peculiarly constructed goose-neck electrode which produces sparks to the outside of the metal casing of the plug, said electrode being always in right firing position when inserted in the plug.

VJith the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention comprises certain novel constructions, combinations and arrange ments of parts as will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a spark plug constructed in accordance with the present invention, while Figure 2 is a Vertical central sectional view of the same.

Figure 3 is a view taken on line 33, Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the goose-neck electrode.

Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the goose-neck electrode, while Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on line 66, Figure 5 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 7 is a bottom view showing the cylindrical pocket into which the head of the electrode shown in Figure 5 is placed.

Figure 8 is a bottom plan View of a spark plug of a slightly modified form from the principle shown in Figures 1 and 2, while Figure 9 is a View in side elevation of the same.

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary, sec tional view of the cone and goose-neck electrode, showing the mechanical action of the conical head on the carbon in the cylindrical pocket.

Renewed February 13, 1932.

Referring to the drawing'by numerals, 1 designates the main metal casing which is of the usual construction. A non-conductive core 2 formed preferably of porcelain is placed in the casing 1. The core 2 is provided with a central enlarged portion 3 which rests against metal gasket 4, with a somewhat similar gasket 5 placed above said gasket 4. Annular screw threaded cap ring 6 is screwed into casing 1 against gasket 5, whereby the core is securely retained in the casing.

The inner end of the core is provided with a deep cylindrical pocket 7 in which is placed the conical head 8 of the goose-neck electrode 9. Thi electrode 9 is provided with a threaded stem 10 that extends through core 2, as clearly shown in Figure 2. The inner broad end 11 (Fig. 4) of the head 8 bears against the inner flat end of the pocket '7, and as the head is substantially the same size in diameter as pocket 7, this head acts as a cleaning plunger, for when the head is shove-d outwardly, it cleans all of the carbon, grease and foreign substances out of the pocket. On the inner end of electrode 9 is formed the hook or goose-neck 12. On the outer threaded end of stem 10 are the washers 13 and nut 14.

The end 15 of the goose-neck 12 registers with the inner edge of casing 1, forming a spark gap for the current to pass from electrode 2 to the casing in an eflicient manner.

It is to be noted that the conical head 8 (Figs. 2 and 10) has an arrow-like penetrating cutting action on the foreign substances in the pocket 7; said conical head 8 crushes the hard, packed carbon (sticking to the sides of the pocket 7) into powder form, causing it then to quickly fall from the pocket, as fully illustrated in Figure 10; said conical head 8 has only a small edge engaging the walls of the pocket 7, thereby insuring of a clean cut ting action and also greatly reducing the frictional engagement, without reducing its great eliiciency, and the broad, inner end of the conical head produces an excellent and necessary surface for the rib 16. Therefore, it will be seen that my novel and peculiarlyarrangeo conical head 8 has many mechanical advantages over the prior art.

In Figures 5 to 9, I have shown another embodiment of the principle depicted in Figures 1 to 1 in which the head 8 is provided on its inner end 11 with an elongated rib 16. This rib 16 rests in one of the intersecting grooves 17 formed on the fiat inner end 18 (Fig. 7) of the cylindrical pocket 7 of core 2. his groove and rib structure efliciently locks the parts together after they are assembled, keeping the point 15 of the goose-neck 12 in a registering position with one of the short electrodes 19 formed on the inner end of casing 1; this makes the gap somewhat more positive, causing a very efiicient firing, and when one electrode 19 burns off, all the operator has to do is to loosen nut 14 sufliciently to permit the rib 16 to be seated in a new position in one of the grooves 17, so as to bring end 15 in a. registering position with another one of the short electrodes 19. This adjustingcan be continued for a long time until the short electrodes are all burnt off; this modification is a very eliicient device and its long life makes it very inexpensive.

While I have described the preferred embodiments of my invention and illustrated the same in the accompanying drawing, certain minor alterations or changes may appear to one skilled in the artto which this invention relates during the extensive manufacture of the same, and I, therefore, reserve the right to make such changes or alterations as shall fairly fall within the scope of the appended claims.

lVha-t I claim is:

1. In a spark plug, the combination with a casing, of a core in said casing, said core provided with a pocket, said casing provided with a short electrode, a long electrode eX- tending through said core and pocket, said pocket and said long electrode provided with interlocking means in said pocket for holding the long electrode in an adjusted position, and said long electrode having its inner end registering with the inner edge-end of said casing.

2. In a spark plug, the combination with a casing, of a core extending into said casing. said core provided at its inner end with a pocket having at its inner end a ribreceiving groove, an electrode extending through said core and provided with a head in said pocket, said head provided on its inner face with a rib normally seated in said rib-receiving groove, and the inner end of said lectrode registering with. the inner end of said casing.

3. In a spark plug, the combination with a casing, of a core extending into said casing, said core provided with a pocket, said pocket provided in its inner end with a plurality of intersecting grooves, an electrode extending through said core and provided with a head in said pocket, said head provided with a broad inner end and with an elongated rib extending from said inner end, said rib normally seated in one of said grooves, and said casing provided on its inner end with a short electrode registering with the inner end of said first mentioned electrode.

at. In a spark plug, the combination with a casing, of a core extending into said casing, said core provided with a pocket and with rib receiving grooves in said pocket, said casing provided with a plurality of short electrodes extending from its inner end, a goose-neck electrode in said core and provided with a rib adapted to be seated in one of said grooves for holding the inner end of said goose-neck electrode in a registering position with one of said short electrodes.

5. As a new article of manufacture, a spark plug, comprising a casing, a core extending into said casing, said core provided with a deep cylindrical pocketin its inner end, an electrode extending through said core and pocket, said electrode provided intermediate its length with an integral conical head in said pocket, said conical head having its narrowest end extending outwardly, said conical head bearing at its widest end against the inner end of said deep cylindrical pocket and being of substantially the same size at its-inner end as the width of the pocket and fitting snugly the walls thereof, whereby the head will crush the carbon and have a free cleaning action in the deep pocket upon its entire length'when reciprocated therein, and the inner end of said electrode registering with the inner end of said casing.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my slgnature.

JOHN W. PULLIAM. 

